On this episode of the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar –
a 2017Podcast
Award nominated podcast – the Imam address
giving charity and the importance of it, and how it can help not only those
around you, but help take care of you too.

In the shadow of Giving Tuesday; which of course follows
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday…you have spent so much
of your money on items that you want – not items that you really need. And
there is an importance of making a distinction here.

Most of us WANT that new TV or that new video game, but none
of us NEED that new TV. We, as humans, in world that has so much disparity,
need to make clear want verses need. We
WANT that that bottled water, but people in Flint NEED that bottled water. The
resources that we have on this planet, as climate change because more and more
evident, will become more and more scarce, and that is one reason we need to
think before we spend our money.

Now – where were we? Oh yes, Giving Tuesday and charity…

Imam Azhar reflects on not only this giving Tuesday, but Ramadan
time too, and he reflects on all the mail, email, WhatsApp messages, and
Facebook posts that he gets from different groups and people asking for money.
And he asks – when is enough, enough?

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

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This week’s episode is another flashback to the 2016 24-hour Giving Tuesday podcast. They welcome a very special guest, internationally acclaimed African-American Muslim entertainer Omar Regan. Head of Halalywood Entertainment, he joins the podcast to talk about Muslims, entertainment, and more.

Halalywood is a production company responsible for representing Muslims in mainstream film. It offers a unique avenue for Muslims to explore the arts without compromising their faith.

“There are a lot of Muslim writers, actors, directors, and producers who would love to go into this field but want to hold onto their morals, their dignity, their integrity, and they want to hold onto their modesty at the same time. But it’s very difficult to do that in Hollywood,” he says.

In this episode, he talks about the challenges that Muslim artists face and how he tries to make their dreams come true. He also shares his experience directing the feature film American Sharia. The first ever feature film of its kind, it uses comedy to address serious social issues.

Tune in to get a glimpse inside the brilliant mind behind Halalywood, American Sharia, and more. Find out what motivates him, and how he tries to use art to connect us all.

“We put these walls up. We don’t allow ourselves to say hi and be friendly. We don’t connect. I want to build that. Hopefully that will encourage others to get to know each other, and that’s what the Qur’an teaches us: you’re different just to get to know each other. And we want to get back to that.”

“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge& Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!

She also gives an inside look at her job, the travels to the field she has been a part of, and some of the programs that inspire her. She shares information about a psychosocial program in Lebanon that helps children deal with the war trauma they have faced.

“One thing I’ve seen no matter what country I’ve been in, what city I’ve been in, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, whatever it may be, children are children.” she says. “They just want to have fun. It’s great to see opportunities like that given to them.”

Tune in to this episode to hear more about her experiences in the field, and be reminded of our shared humanity.

“You’re not just a listener, you’re a participant, you’re an advocate, you’re somebody who is active. Whether it’s prayer, volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, whatever you can do to help someone in need, please do.”

“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge& Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!